Newcomers played vital roles for Red Sox

General manager Ben Cherington stayed away from high-priced free agents last winter but found quality help to fill holes on the team’s roster.

By Jim Fenton

The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA

By Jim Fenton

Posted Nov. 3, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Nov 3, 2013 at 3:07 AM

By Jim Fenton

Posted Nov. 3, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Nov 3, 2013 at 3:07 AM

» Social News

They needed 56 players to make it through the 2012 season, including Pedro Ciriaco, Mauro Gomes, Darnell McDonald and Pedro Beato.

After going 69-93 with a team that had holes everywhere, the Red Sox were in need of a talent upgrade when they ventured into the offseason last October.

General manager Ben Cherington set out to find pieces that could plug gaps, and he was going to do so without making any big splashes on the free-agent market.

The Red Sox had just rid themselves of big-money contracts when they unloaded Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford and Josh Beckett to the Los Angeles Dodgers, so a more conservative approach was going to be taken.

All seven not only filled the team’s voids, but they played key roles in winning the World Series, helping take a team from last place to the top of the baseball world.

Here is a look at the players brought on board by Cherington who helped turn the fortunes of the Red Sox around in a hurry:

Koji Uehara: The 38-year-old was pegged for a role as a setup man before two closers, Joel Hanrahan (acquired in a trade with the Pirates) and Andrew Bailey, needed season-ending surgeries.

In late June, manager John Farrell tapped Uehara as his closer, and the 38-year-old had a season to remember.

Uehara was unhittable for much of his stint as the closer, going 4-1 with 21 saves and a 1.09 earned run average with 101 strikeouts and only nine walks.

The success continued throughout the postseason when Uehara was touched up once by the Tampa Bay Rays but baffled opponents every other time he took the mound.

Signed last Dec. 18, Uehara was coming off a strong season with the Texas Rangers: a 1.75 ERA and 43 strikeouts and three walks in 36 innings. Uehara came to the United States in 2009, pitching in Baltimore and Texas after playing in Japan.

Mike Napoli: The Red Sox originally signed him to a three-year, $39 million contract, but questions about his hip led to a renegotiation. The first baseman wound up with a one-year deal worth $13 million with incentives.

Napoli struck out 187 times, but he provided power, hitting 23 homers with 92 RBI, to give David Ortiz help in the middle of the order.

Stephen Drew: Before hitting a home run in Game 6, Drew was having a miserable World Series at the plate. He did, however, make up for that with some steady play at shortstop.

The Red Sox signed Drew to a one-year deal and have 21-year-old Xander Bogaerts waiting in the wings to play shortstop.

Page 2 of 5 -
Shane Victorino: The Red Sox added Victorino for his defense in right field and for speed to go with Jacoby Ellsbury.

Victorino provided both for the Red Sox, winning a Gold Glove and being a reliable offensive weapon. He also came through with clutch hits in Game 6 against the Tigers and the Cardinals.

Jonny Gomes: A journeyman now with his fifth team, Gomes brought toughness and contributed key hits along the way. His three-run homer in Game 4 against the Cardinals was a turning point in the World Series.

David Ross: At the age of 36, Ross had the time of his life after playing for five other teams.

Ross, who was with the Red Sox in 2008, took over for catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia late in the World Series and chipped in offensively while bringing experience behind the plate in clutch situations.

Ryan Dempster: The pitcher didn’t have a role in the postseason after being moved out of the starting rotation, but he won eight games and made 29 starts during the regular season.

Newcomers played vital roles for Red Sox

General manager Ben Cherington stayed away from high-priced free agents last winter but found quality help to fill holes on the team’s roster.

QUINCY – They needed 56 players to make it through the 2012 season, including Pedro Ciriaco, Mauro Gomes, Darnell McDonald and Pedro Beato.

After going 69-93 with a team that had holes everywhere, the Red Sox were in need of a talent upgrade when they ventured into the offseason last October.

General manager Ben Cherington set out to find pieces that could plug gaps, and he was going to do so without making any big splashes on the free-agent market.

The Red Sox had just rid themselves of big-money contracts when they unloaded Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford and Josh Beckett to the Los Angeles Dodgers, so a more conservative approach was going to be taken.

All seven not only filled the team’s voids, but they played key roles in winning the World Series, helping take a team from last place to the top of the baseball world.

Here is a look at the players brought on board by Cherington who helped turn the fortunes of the Red Sox around in a hurry:

Koji Uehara: The 38-year-old was pegged for a role as a setup man before two closers, Joel Hanrahan (acquired in a trade with the Pirates) and Andrew Bailey, needed season-ending surgeries.

Page 3 of 5 -
In late June, manager John Farrell tapped Uehara as his closer, and the 38-year-old had a season to remember.

Uehara was unhittable for much of his stint as the closer, going 4-1 with 21 saves and a 1.09 earned run average with 101 strikeouts and only nine walks.

The success continued throughout the postseason when Uehara was touched up once by the Tampa Bay Rays but baffled opponents every other time he took the mound.

Signed last Dec. 18, Uehara was coming off a strong season with the Texas Rangers: a 1.75 ERA and 43 strikeouts and three walks in 36 innings. Uehara came to the United States in 2009, pitching in Baltimore and Texas after playing in Japan.

Mike Napoli: The Red Sox originally signed him to a three-year, $39 million contract, but questions about his hip led to a renegotiation. The first baseman wound up with a one-year deal worth $13 million with incentives.

Napoli struck out 187 times, but he provided power, hitting 23 homers with 92 RBI, to give David Ortiz help in the middle of the order.

Stephen Drew: Before hitting a home run in Game 6, Drew was having a miserable World Series at the plate. He did, however, make up for that with some steady play at shortstop.

The Red Sox signed Drew to a one-year deal and have 21-year-old Xander Bogaerts waiting in the wings to play shortstop.

Shane Victorino: The Red Sox added Victorino for his defense in right field and for speed to go with Jacoby Ellsbury.

Victorino provided both for the Red Sox, winning a Gold Glove and being a reliable offensive weapon. He also came through with clutch hits in Game 6 against the Tigers and the Cardinals.

Jonny Gomes: A journeyman now with his fifth team, Gomes brought toughness and contributed key hits along the way. His three-run homer in Game 4 against the Cardinals was a turning point in the World Series.

David Ross: At the age of 36, Ross had the time of his life after playing for five other teams.

Ross, who was with the Red Sox in 2008, took over for catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia late in the World Series and chipped in offensively while bringing experience behind the plate in clutch situations.

Ryan Dempster: The pitcher didn’t have a role in the postseason after being moved out of the starting rotation, but he won eight games and made 29 starts during the regular season.

Newcomers played vital roles for Red Sox

General manager Ben Cherington stayed away from high-priced free agents last winter but found quality help to fill holes on the team’s roster.

Page 4 of 5 -
QUINCY – They needed 56 players to make it through the 2012 season, including Pedro Ciriaco, Mauro Gomes, Darnell McDonald and Pedro Beato.

After going 69-93 with a team that had holes everywhere, the Red Sox were in need of a talent upgrade when they ventured into the offseason last October.

General manager Ben Cherington set out to find pieces that could plug gaps, and he was going to do so without making any big splashes on the free-agent market.

The Red Sox had just rid themselves of big-money contracts when they unloaded Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford and Josh Beckett to the Los Angeles Dodgers, so a more conservative approach was going to be taken.

All seven not only filled the team’s voids, but they played key roles in winning the World Series, helping take a team from last place to the top of the baseball world.

Here is a look at the players brought on board by Cherington who helped turn the fortunes of the Red Sox around in a hurry:

Koji Uehara: The 38-year-old was pegged for a role as a setup man before two closers, Joel Hanrahan (acquired in a trade with the Pirates) and Andrew Bailey, needed season-ending surgeries.

In late June, manager John Farrell tapped Uehara as his closer, and the 38-year-old had a season to remember.

Uehara was unhittable for much of his stint as the closer, going 4-1 with 21 saves and a 1.09 earned run average with 101 strikeouts and only nine walks.

The success continued throughout the postseason when Uehara was touched up once by the Tampa Bay Rays but baffled opponents every other time he took the mound.

Signed last Dec. 18, Uehara was coming off a strong season with the Texas Rangers: a 1.75 ERA and 43 strikeouts and three walks in 36 innings. Uehara came to the United States in 2009, pitching in Baltimore and Texas after playing in Japan.

Mike Napoli: The Red Sox originally signed him to a three-year, $39 million contract, but questions about his hip led to a renegotiation. The first baseman wound up with a one-year deal worth $13 million with incentives.

Napoli struck out 187 times, but he provided power, hitting 23 homers with 92 RBI, to give David Ortiz help in the middle of the order.

Stephen Drew: Before hitting a home run in Game 6, Drew was having a miserable World Series at the plate. He did, however, make up for that with some steady play at shortstop.

The Red Sox signed Drew to a one-year deal and have 21-year-old Xander Bogaerts waiting in the wings to play shortstop.

Page 5 of 5 -
Shane Victorino: The Red Sox added Victorino for his defense in right field and for speed to go with Jacoby Ellsbury.

Victorino provided both for the Red Sox, winning a Gold Glove and being a reliable offensive weapon. He also came through with clutch hits in Game 6 against the Tigers and the Cardinals.

Jonny Gomes: A journeyman now with his fifth team, Gomes brought toughness and contributed key hits along the way. His three-run homer in Game 4 against the Cardinals was a turning point in the World Series.

David Ross: At the age of 36, Ross had the time of his life after playing for five other teams.

Ross, who was with the Red Sox in 2008, took over for catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia late in the World Series and chipped in offensively while bringing experience behind the plate in clutch situations.

Ryan Dempster: The pitcher didn’t have a role in the postseason after being moved out of the starting rotation, but he won eight games and made 29 starts during the regular season.